The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant James Willie Howell (ASN: 6392342), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Cannon Company, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 18 December, 1944, near Jacobsberg, Luxembourg. When Sergeant Howell and his crew displaced their gun forward, they were fired upon from a nearby house and adjacent woods. Unaccompanied, he entered the house and eliminated eight Germans. He then braved hostile fire to contact friendly infantry elements and aided in repelling an enemy attack. Later, when a large group of Germans reached within fifty yards of his position, he aided in firing point-blank at the attackers and inflicted casualties on them. Sergeant Howell’s courageous actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 4th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.